Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision requires improvement

Children are happy and settled in this home-from-home environment. The childminder is gentle and nurturing and children have positive relationships with the her. Children smile at the childminder as she gives them encouragement and praise. If they need cuddles and reassurance, she comforts them. This means children feel secure in her care. However, when the childminder cares for higher numbers of children at the same time the quality of education that they receive is variable. For example, when older children ask the childminder to help build a sand castle, she is distracted by her interactions with the younger children. Consequently the childminder completes the task herself, and does not offer the older children the support they need to learn how they could do this for themselves.

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The provision requires improvement

Overall, children behave well. They show that they can play together well under the childminder's direction. The childminder supports children with learning how to share and take turns. She knows what children enjoy and are interested in. The childminder uses this knowledge to offer some experiences that support children to make steady progress in their learning. For example, she provides farm animal puppets. The children make animal noises and sing their favourite song, 'Old MacDonald'. However, the childminder does not always plan activities well enough to challenge children of different ages and stages of development. As a result, not all children make the progress they are capable of.

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need to do better?

n Overall, the childminder provides good quality care for the children. However, the childminder has not fully considered how she will ensure all children's learning needs are met when making exceptions to the adult to child ratios. At times, the childminder cares for five children in the early years age range at the same time. On these occasions, not all children receive quality interactions from the childminder. As a result, older children's individual learning needs are not always met. This hinders their learning and limits the progress they can make. n The childminder promotes a love of books. Children enjoy listening to stories as the childminder reads to them. At these times, they cuddle with the childminder as she engages them with the story. Young children also enjoy choosing their own books and looking at the pictures with the childminder. n The childminder integrates mathematics into the children's day. She models the

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need to do better?

use of numbers. Older children respond by counting up to five. However, the childminder does not support them to count beyond five to challenge their learning further. The childminder introduces mathematical language, such as, 'more' and 'less' as children fill flower pots. She uses different shape names as they build with stickle bricks. n The childminder talks confidently about each of the children in her care. She

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need to do better?

2 May 2024 uses information gathered from both the parents and her observations to better understand children's knowledge and skills. However, the childminder does not implement a well-planned curriculum that helps all children make the progress they are capable of. Learning at times is incidental because the childminder does not plan activities and experiences well enough to build consistently on what children already know and can do. n The childminder talks with children as they play. She listens to what they have to say and repeats keywords back to them. Children enjoy singing a range of action songs and rhymes, eagerly joining in with the words. This helps children to make progress in their communication and language development. n The childminder promotes children's physical development. Children benefit from daily fresh air and exercise. Babies and young children are encouraged to explore and develop good control over their bodies. The childminder encourages

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need to do better?

babies to take their weight on their legs and feet, enabling them to stand and begin to walk. Older children enjoy playing in the childminder's garden as they climb up the slide, run around and chase balls. n The childminder encourages children to be independent and care for themselves. She builds time into the daily routines to learn and practise some skills in preparation for school. For example, choosing activities independently, feeding themselves and going to the toilet. However, older children are not always given the opportunity to attempt self-care tasks, such as putting their shoes on or learning when to wipe their nose. n The childminder works well with parents and shares information about their day, learning, and development. Daily information sharing, including photos and face to-face conversations, means that parents are well-informed about the progress their children make. Parents confirm that their children are happy in the

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need to do better?

childminder's care and enjoy coming to her home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Due date

ensure that the individual learning and development needs of all children are met when exceptions are being made to the ratios. 31/05/2024

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Due date

2 May 2024 ensure the curriculum intent for all children is ambitious and implemented consistently to help them make the progress of which they are capable. 30/06/2024

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should:

n encourage children to attempt tasks for themselves to develop their independence and self-care skills further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY496838 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10335369 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5 Date of previous inspection 13 June 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2016 and lives in the Parklands area of Northampton. She operates all year round from 8am until 6pm from Tuesday to Thursday, except for family holidays.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the setting. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The childminder talked to the inspector about children's learning and development. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to some children during the inspection and took account of the views of parents. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including the childminder's qualifications and suitability checks.

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Inspection activities

2 May 2024 We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

2 May 2024 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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